I bought this one on the recommendation of a friend much more versed in German and Austrian wine than myself.  The bottle was $10 and was my first experience with Gruner Veltliner, but what an amazing summer wine it turned out to be.  Just crisp, citrusy and light in the mouth with a little fizz that died out slowly as it was open.   But as I discussed with my friend who recommended it, I don't mind a little fizz as long it's not too overbearing.

It's a versatile wine that could go with a range of food but is just as strong on its own. This is a great alternative to other whites, particularly those from California, that are starting to get a little boring for me.  I hope this variety starts to take off more in the US so we can get more selection.  But I know where to find them in the wine shop now, so stay tuned for some more exploration this summer.  And the bonus is the great price, so I'll add this bottle to my Value Picks as well.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 89 points

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

        

Effective today, I am moving to the more commonly used, and (I guess) universally accepted 100 point scale to rate the wines on this site.  I first thought most wines worth anything would fall in the top 20% of the 100 point scale, meaning that I could just rate wines in that parameter.  But I think now, and from reader feedback, that the 100 point scale is necessary to draw proper distinction between these wines and to put them into a more familiar context for readers.
- Radcliffe, Editor

        

This bottle was recommended by a reader of the site, and the more I learned about it, the more interesting it got.  Sure most Malbec/Cabs that are recommended from Mendoza are, on average, pleasing wines.  But the Amancaya is a joint venture from Domains Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolas Catena, and the combination is just what a fan of both, like me, is looking for.

It's a fairly bold, dark fruit that reflects the great characteristics of both varieties.  This is a reason why I love blends.  This bottle is a 50/50 split between Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Cab pulling out slightly in front, and for an 07 the smoothness and refinement really stands out.  Interesting nose, with the South American earthiness, and the finish is elegant especially at this price range ($15.99).

Wine Spectator gave this bottle 90 points so it is another one to add to the 90 point under $20 series.  I'm going to post it in both the Malbec and Cabernet sections as I think people searching either area would enjoy this one.  And it will score a Bronze rating from me.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 14 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Bronze Rated*

*90 Point Series*

        

I reviewed the 2005 vintage of the Dona Paula Malbec back in December when I served it at a dinner party at my house and really enjoyed it.  So I was curious what the 2008 bottle would offer.  It certainly would be a young wine, and I distinctly remember the refinement of the 2005. 

Over the years these Malbecs from Dona Paula continue to pull down high ratings, and the 2008 vintage will fall quite nicely in the succession.  It lacked a little of that refinement that starts to come from 3+ years in the bottle, but was still smooth and flavorful.  Plus this bottle was only $11 when I paid closer to $17 for the 05.  So I might grab another one to hold on to for later. 

I'm going to give this one a slightly lower rating than the 05 which I gave 14 out of 20.  I'll still drop it in the value picks though, and would recommend trying it. 

BlogRoom.com Rating: 13 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

        

A strong, staple New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Bright, grassy, loads of pear and melon - all in a very easy drinking wine that I have already recommended to friends.  This is a choice summer bottle that I picked up at Costco for $14.99.  It's exactly what I'm looking for in a crisp summer wine.

It's becoming clear to me, what seems to already be apparent to so many, that New Zealand produces one heck of a good Sauvignon Blanc, and at incredibly reasonable prices.  This bottle reminded me of the Kim Crawford I reviewed a few months back and absolutely loved.  It just tastes alive and vibrant.  These are the perfect wines to bring to parties especially as summer comes in.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 13 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Bronze Rated*

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

        

This is a good bottle, and I would imagine many Chardonnay fans would enjoy this wine.  I found it to have just a touch too much oak and it was little too rich for my tastes.  But again, sometimes people look for that in a Chardonnay. 

It has great flavor throughout and a big long finish, but the aftertaste at the end of that finish isn't my favorite.  I prefer brighter, less oak, more fruit driven and pure Chardonnays, like those that I've reviewed from Stratton Lummis and Clos Du Val. 

I'm going to rate this bottle right down the middle.  I can see why some people would enjoy it, but also why some may not, and I fall somewhere in between.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 10 out of 20

        

Very, very nice.  I'm starting to think that some of the best values for US red wines might be the "too often overlooked" Merlots like this one.  The 2005 Havens is a $17.99 bottle that is pleasant all around.  Noticed the beginning scent of a little age on the pour and the nose.  I think we're hitting this at a good time in its lifecycle.  The nose really reminded me of a Merlot from Bordeaux, and the signature French-ness hung around a while, which is likely too a reason why I enjoyed it so much.

But Havens is a dependable name.  I've always enjoyed their wines, and this is a bottle I will keep on hand (I like to have a couple bottles of every variety just in case someone requests something in particular).   And another plus for me - the vineyards are sustainably farmed.  Definitely pick this one up.  If you secretly like Merlots this is a good one.  And if you don't, it just might start to revive some interest.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 13 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

BlogRoom.com *Bronze Rated*

        

A very nice Loire valley white for the ridiculous low price of $8.99.  I knew this was going to be a value pick almost immediately after my first taste; just a solid wine for the price. 

This is a nice, bright Sauvignon Blanc just bursting with pear and lemon flavors.  Certainly tastes like a $15 or so bottle.  Has a little tart on the finish, but overall is well balanced and really well assembled for the price range.  A nice summertime entry.  This is a bottle I will definitely buy again - perfect for sharing with guests and just a nice versatile bottle to keep in the house.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 12 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

        

It's hard to go wrong with these Mendoza Malbecs, and this bottle from Trivento is a good example of the quality you can get for $9 from this region.  This isn't the best wine I've ever had, but for this price it's hard to beat with wines from almost anywhere else in the world.  This is an excellent "everyday" bottle to enjoy with hearty meals. It would also make an excellent gift.

Nose is red fruit, very pleasant, comes across as a more expensive wine.  It's big on the cherry flavor, rather lively.  Smooth throughout as Malbecs tend to go.  Lacks a little luster in the finish, but overall a nice wine in the under $10 segment.

This is a bottle to buy next time you see it.  I'm sure there'll come a time when it will be suitable to open. Go in with $10 expectations, and you'll get $15-$20 results.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 12 out of 20

        

This is a beautiful wine that moved toward exceptional as it opened up.  The first few drinks within the first hour showed signs of quality and interest, but it was (obviously I guess) a little tight still.  But after a couple of hours of air, this bottle really showed what it's made of.

A slightly smoky earthy nose that leads into a perfect mix of black fruit, with a little tart.  This one will age nicely.  Finish is smooth and lingering, excellent mouthfeel.  I love the nearly 50/50 Cab/Merlot split with a touch of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot.  It's clear that someone took care to get this just right.  It adds up to a shining star in 05 Bordeaux, and a bottle that I need to get for the cellar. 

Believe it or not, this was a Costco wine.  I bought it for $33, which is an extreme bargain for a wine of this caliber.  I'd recommend buying 2-3 three bottles - one to drink now because you're curious, and one or two to surprise you in a few years.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 16 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Silver Rated*

        

A nice Cab for the price.  I found it on sale for $10.50 and it's usually around $14.00.  At $10 it's not a bad deal for what could be a decent everyday table wine.  This bottle falls in the bracket with the Powers Cab that I just tried.  They are ok wines, a nice representation of the variety at a fair price, but they are easily forgettable since there aren't a lot of unique or interesting characteristics that rise to the forefront.  And in this price range you won't find many bottles that offer that.

This bottle from Edna Valley will neither surprise nor disappoint.  It's exactly what you're expecting.  After a little airtime, it got a touch more enjoyable and smoother through the finish.  So in the end, as it stands right now, I'm going to rate this slightly above average but I will add it to my Value Picks as it's a good bottle for the money.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 11 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

        

Borderline undrinkable.  Sorry World Market.  You guys make some great furniture (I love my outdoor set and I 'm writing this on a fantastic kitchen table we bought) and occasionally I score some great deals on wine, but this bottle is among the worst I have had in a while. 

Is this wine?  I spent just a minute on some Google searches and couldn't turn up much about the vineyard, except that it is a World Market brand?  I'm confused and it's really not worth spending the time researching since my mind's made up.  This bottle was wrapped up nicely, it's a big thick bottle, on sale (for $12.99) and I had a screaming baby with me in the store, so I had to make a quick decision.  That's my excuse.

Avoid this bottle.  I could tell on the pour that something was up.  It was super light in color, smelled weak and sat in the glass a bit awkwardly I guess.  The taste is almost non-existent.  It's a wine without a finish.  I'm still not quite sure what was going on. 

BlogRoom.com Rating:  3 out of 20

        

This is an exceptional bottle and a ridiculously good value.  I had to dig up my receipt to make sure I only paid $16.99 for it.  It's just a big luscious, mouth enticing Syrah that's smooth as can be throughout with a very satisfying long finish.  I could drink this one anytime.

After reading a little about the producer, it's clear they take extra care to craft these wines just right.  This bottle spend 18 months in French oak, and then they held the release a few years which really allowed it to soften up.  I'm a huge fan.  Central coast Syrahs don't get much than this under $20. 

While this is certainly worthy of a Value Pick slot, I'm going to give it a Silver Rating and highly recommend it.  The other vintages must not be bad either.  They seem to have pulled down 90+ points fairly consistently so keep an eye out for those as well.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 15 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Silver Rated*

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

        

I really enjoyed this bottle.  It's a nice Merlot for $12.  The Columbia Crest name is unfortunately tied closely to their low end bottles (which are pretty decent as well for the money), and I was curious how their next step up would drink.  This is a nice fruity Merlot, but stands out for its clean and refined finish.  It left me with similar takeaways as I had after trying the Sebastiani Merlot.  A better than you would expect Merlot that tastes like a more expensive bottle.

So throw whatever reservations you may have about Columbia Crest out the door and give this one a shot.  It makes me want to try their upper end reserve bottles.  I would recommend this one when you're in the mood for a nice, smooth budget priced Merlot.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 12 out of 20

        

I haven't gone wrong with any of the Vacqueyras wines I've tried recently.  They just keep knocking it out of the park, and this bottle follows suit.  For anyone out there not diving into these Cotes du Rhone wines, you are missing out on really fun to drink wines that are also a spectacular value.  I picked up this bottle for $17.

This wine was 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, a beautiful combo that is representative of this region.  But this wine is particularly well crafted, the balance between the varieties is dead on, and it makes for a very enjoyable drink with a nice touch of spice and earthiness.  2006 was a good year in Cotes du Rhone, and this wine is nice young but would be perhaps even more interesting after a couple more years in the bottle.

I'm obviously a big fan of this and most others from Vacqueyras.  Give them a shot.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 13 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Bronze Rated*

        

I'm a huge fan.  This bottle was exactly what I was looking for.  It was $20 and is just a tasty, refined and beautiful wine.  I really wanted to find a nice Malbec in the sub $20 that I could always depend on.  This could in fact be that bottle.

It's 90% Malbec and 10% Bonarda, high elevation, aged in French and American oak, just a nice equation all around.  I really found this bottle to be solid from start to finish.  Pleasant nose with a slight spice that is handled delicately into a very clean finish. Excellent with food.  Better than many other Mendoza Malbecs in this price range, and a perfect example of why this variety is growing in popularity.  For anyone who is not familiar with Malbec this will be a game changer for them.

I'm going to give it a Silver Rated with a high recommendation.  Enjoy.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 15 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Silver Rated*

        

It's nice to see more value priced Riojas on store shelves nowadays.  I think people are starting to experiment more with different regions and varieties than the standard US fare.  This Valserrano Rioja is a perfect example of what people should be seeking out.  It's priced at $14.99 (with the Reservas going up from there) and really delivers a quality in line with a higher price tag.

It's a little lighter in color than expected but it maintains a boldness and complexity that makes me remember why I love wines from this area so much.  Dark fruit flavors and just a touch of spice, with that signature Rioja aftertaste. A bold, fresh flavor.  It's 90% Tempranillo and 10% Mazuelo and spent 12 months in American and French oak.   Overall, a very nice wine especially for the price. 

BlogRoom.com Rating: 14 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Bronze Rated*

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

        

A 90 point wine for $10.  Parker gave this one 90 points, and Costco (of course) is unloading them by the crate for $10 a bottle.  This is a real value equation and the type of wines I'm really hoping live up to the mark.  And this one does. 

What an amazing wine for the price.  A beautiful blend of 65% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot.  Deep, dark purple on the pour, mainly Shiraz characteristics on the nose, a nice spice, rounded out with nice fruit and a smooth finish that sticks around for a bit.  Just an enjoyable wine, hard not to like.  A certain crowd pleaser.

At this price you'd be crazy not to buy this wine.  It offers much more than what you're paying for.  It's a great bottle to break out during the week, or for a casual dinner.  Super easy to enjoy.  I love it.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 14 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Bronze Rated*

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

*90 Point Series*

        

I can run with this bottle. It's not a bad New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for the price.  I found it for $14.00, and it was exactly what I expected.  All the signature characteristics of this variety from Marlborough.  Big flavor, tons of citrus fruit and grapefruit, grassy.  Certainly a bold wine as many of these New Zealand Sav Blancs tend to be, but I really enjoy that.

It's a nice summer bottle, and a good safe bet if you're at the store and run into it.  I'll rate it right down the middle which means it's very drinkable and enjoyable, but not a standout in its class.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 10 out of 20

        

It's perhaps one of the lowest priced 90 point rated wines I've ever seen.  This 91 pointer from Robert Parker can be scooped up for only $10.  Sound like a good deal?

Well, I'd say it is, but let's not starting jumping up and down quite yet.  For the money this is a great deal.  Is it worth 91 points?  Not in my book.  Maybe I should have tasted this one blind, but it still tastes to me like an under $15 bottle of Tempranillo.  It's good, just not great.  But I guess this is all subjective right?

For me this bottle just left something to be desired.  Maybe a bit more of distinction somewhere.  I've had bottles like this before, that taste great, leave me with little negative to say, just not a lot of positive either.  Tasted high in alcohol but only comes in at 13.5%.  A little uneven on the finish that wasn't necessarily a turnoff, just not what I was hoping for.

In the end though, this is a good bottle for the price.  It's a nice one to bring to a dinner party or to enjoy casually with friends when you want to stay in the budget category.  I'm going to drop it in my value picks too.

BlogRoom.com Rating: 10 out of 20

BlogRoom.com *Value Pick*

*90 Point Series*